Limerick Suburban Rail
Encyclopedia
Limerick Suburban Rail is are a group of Iarnród Éireann
commuter train services from Limerick Colbert
to various other destinations on three different lines.
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The Limerick to Ennis suburban service runs over the southernmost 24.5 miles of the former Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway(WL&WR) track between Limerick and the junction with the Dublin-Galway
mainline at Athenry
. In the 2010-11 timetable 10 services per weekday are operated from Limerick to Ennis and 11 services from Ennis to Limerick, five of each being stops made by Limerick-Galway intercity trains. Sunday service is eight trains from Limerick to Ennis and nine trains from Ennis to Limerick, and similarly four trains per direction are Limerick-Galway intercity services. Services are timetabled for a 40 minute duration.
Passenger services on this section ceased in 1976 but were re-introduced in 1988 as far as Ennis and were increased progressively until a full six-weekday service was begun in 1994 which also had a limited Sunday service. A further expansion to eight services per weekday was begin in 2003 with the timetable further reorganised in March 2010 to incorporate the newly reopened track north of Ennis and services between Limerick and Galway. Iarnród Éireann
has proposed that its next timetable revision in 2011 will include an extra train from Galway to Ennis to meet an existing Limerick-Ennis-Limerick train to create a sixth service per direction per weekday between Limerick and Galway.
As of March 2011, both intercity and commuter services are operated by 2700 class diesel railcars whose 70mph top speed is sufficient for the limits of the existing single track line (50mph with partial restrictions of between 25mph and 40mph). These railcars normally operate in sets of two offering 117 seats but platform lengths will allow between one and four such cars to operate together. At present the signalling system only allows one train operating in the section at a time, but a [passing loop] is planned for the section's only intermediate halt at Sixmilebridge which would permit trains to depart from Ennis and from Limerick at about the same time and passing each other within the limits of the loop track.
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The Limerick to Nenagh operates over a short section of the line between Limerick and Limerick Junction before moving to the branch toward Ballybrophy
at Killonan Junction. This service normally operates in a block section where trains cannot operate at the same time but changes were made at Nenagh to allow the first Limerick-Ballybrophy train of the day to split there, with the front half continuing to Roscrea and Ballybrophy to meet the Dublin-Cork mainline and the back half turning back for Limerick forming the commuter service.
There are three services per weekday in each direction between Limerick and Nenagh, two of which continue to or from Ballybrophy. At present there is only one inbound service to Limerick in the morning timetabled to arrive at 0842 and two evening outbounds at 1645 and 1745. Journey time is timetabled at between 58 and 67 minutes.
The service is operated by 2700 class diesel railcars whose 70mph top speeds are sufficient for the 60mph limits between Limerick and Killonan Junction but is hampered by the condition of the track between Killonan Junction and Nenagh. Some track upgrades from jointed track to Continuous Welded Rail offering higher safe speeds and a quieter operation have been started but not completed by operations such as ballast tamping
and rail stressing
. Additionally, the route misses the key employment area of Castletroy
on the eastern outskirts of Limerick which contains both a major industrial estate and the University of Limerick
.
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This service is principally a shuttle along part of the Limerick–Rosslare railway line between Limerick station and Limerick Junction connecting to and from mainline services between Dublin and Cork as well as to a regional service to Waterford
. In the late 2000s an enhanced commuter aspect was developed involving expansion of car parking at Limerick Junction was completed and in 2010 Iarnród Éireann also introduced a morning service from Thurles to Limerick from Monday to Friday which passes through Limerick Junction.
There are no intermediate stops on the 17 mile 70mph Limerick Junction-Killonan Junction section or the 4.5 mile 60mph Killonan Junction-Limerick section. Some services are part of direct Dublin-Limerick intercity trains operating using 22000 class intercity diesel railcars
and the others operate using 2700 class diesel railcars. Journey time is between 26 and 34 minutes in the 2010-11 timetable.
As of March 2011, commuting from east of Limerick Junction is hampered by the current arrangement where the train arriving from Cahir
, Clonmel
and Waterford
at 0818 does not proceed onward to Limerick and a shuttle train to Limerick does not depart until 0847.
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
commuter train services from Limerick Colbert
Limerick railway station
Limerick railway station serves the city of Limerick in County Limerick. It is on Parnell St, and is the main station on the Limerick Suburban Rail network....
to various other destinations on three different lines.
- Limerick - EnnisEnnis railway stationEnnis railway station serves the town of Ennis in County Clare, Ireland. The station forms part of the Western Railway Corridor, the name given to a group of lines in the west of Ireland between Limerick and Sligo...
calling at SixmilebridgeSixmilebridge railway stationSixmilebridge railway station is a railway station that serves the village of Sixmilebridge in County Clare, Ireland. It is located on the Shannon Road less than 1 km from the village... - Limerick - NenaghNenagh railway stationNenagh railway station serves the town of Nenagh in North Tipperary, Ireland.The station opened on 5 October 1863 and is on the Limerick-Ballybrophy railway line...
calling at CastleconnellCastleconnell railway stationCastleconnell railway station, opened on 8 August 1858., serves the town of Castleconnell in County Limerick, Ireland. It is on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line and is served by a skeleton service on the Limerick to Nenagh Commuter Service....
and BirdhillBirdhill railway stationBirdhill railway station serves the town of Birdhill in North Tipperary, Ireland.The station opened on 23 July 1860. It is on the Limerick–Ballybrophy railway line and served by a skeleton service on the Limerick to Nenagh Commuter Service. The station once had a large station house but now has... - Limerick - Limerick JunctionLimerick JunctionLimerick Junction is an important railway station in South Tipperary, Ireland which was originally named "Tipperary Junction". Tipperary town is about two miles away to the south-east. Limerick Junction, with a cluster of pleasantly presented railway cottages and a pub, is a small hamlet...
Limerick to Ennis
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The Limerick to Ennis suburban service runs over the southernmost 24.5 miles of the former Waterford, Limerick and Western Railway(WL&WR) track between Limerick and the junction with the Dublin-Galway
Galway
Galway or City of Galway is a city in County Galway, Republic of Ireland. It is the sixth largest and the fastest-growing city in Ireland. It is also the third largest city within the Republic and the only city in the Province of Connacht. Located on the west coast of Ireland, it sits on the...
mainline at Athenry
Athenry
Athenry is a town in County Galway, Ireland. It lies east of Galway city, and one of the attractions of the town is its medieval castle. The town is also well-known by virtue of the song "The Fields of Athenry".-History:...
. In the 2010-11 timetable 10 services per weekday are operated from Limerick to Ennis and 11 services from Ennis to Limerick, five of each being stops made by Limerick-Galway intercity trains. Sunday service is eight trains from Limerick to Ennis and nine trains from Ennis to Limerick, and similarly four trains per direction are Limerick-Galway intercity services. Services are timetabled for a 40 minute duration.
Passenger services on this section ceased in 1976 but were re-introduced in 1988 as far as Ennis and were increased progressively until a full six-weekday service was begun in 1994 which also had a limited Sunday service. A further expansion to eight services per weekday was begin in 2003 with the timetable further reorganised in March 2010 to incorporate the newly reopened track north of Ennis and services between Limerick and Galway. Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann
Iarnród Éireann is the national railway system operator of Ireland. Established on 2 February 1987, it is a subsidiary of Córas Iompair Éireann . It operates all internal intercity, commuter and freight railway services in the Republic of Ireland, and, jointly with Northern Ireland Railways, the...
has proposed that its next timetable revision in 2011 will include an extra train from Galway to Ennis to meet an existing Limerick-Ennis-Limerick train to create a sixth service per direction per weekday between Limerick and Galway.
As of March 2011, both intercity and commuter services are operated by 2700 class diesel railcars whose 70mph top speed is sufficient for the limits of the existing single track line (50mph with partial restrictions of between 25mph and 40mph). These railcars normally operate in sets of two offering 117 seats but platform lengths will allow between one and four such cars to operate together. At present the signalling system only allows one train operating in the section at a time, but a [passing loop] is planned for the section's only intermediate halt at Sixmilebridge which would permit trains to depart from Ennis and from Limerick at about the same time and passing each other within the limits of the loop track.
Limerick to Nenagh
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The Limerick to Nenagh operates over a short section of the line between Limerick and Limerick Junction before moving to the branch toward Ballybrophy
Ballybrophy
Ballybrophy is a village in County Laois, Ireland, with a population recorded in the 2002 census of 145. It forms part of the Borris-in-Ossory electoral area...
at Killonan Junction. This service normally operates in a block section where trains cannot operate at the same time but changes were made at Nenagh to allow the first Limerick-Ballybrophy train of the day to split there, with the front half continuing to Roscrea and Ballybrophy to meet the Dublin-Cork mainline and the back half turning back for Limerick forming the commuter service.
There are three services per weekday in each direction between Limerick and Nenagh, two of which continue to or from Ballybrophy. At present there is only one inbound service to Limerick in the morning timetabled to arrive at 0842 and two evening outbounds at 1645 and 1745. Journey time is timetabled at between 58 and 67 minutes.
The service is operated by 2700 class diesel railcars whose 70mph top speeds are sufficient for the 60mph limits between Limerick and Killonan Junction but is hampered by the condition of the track between Killonan Junction and Nenagh. Some track upgrades from jointed track to Continuous Welded Rail offering higher safe speeds and a quieter operation have been started but not completed by operations such as ballast tamping
Ballast tamper
A ballast tamper or tamping machine is a machine used to pack the track ballast under railway tracks to make the tracks more durable. Prior to the introduction of mechanical tampers, this task was done by manual labour with the help of beaters...
and rail stressing
Rail stressing
Stressing is a technique developed in the 1960s to avert rail track problems that can occur when installing Continuous welded rail . When installing new rail the rail must be returned to its former temperature or length.- Technique :...
. Additionally, the route misses the key employment area of Castletroy
Castletroy
Castletroy is a rapidly growing and predominantly middle-class suburb of Limerick, Ireland and is the largest suburb in Munster. Its population is estimated at 40,000 as of 2010....
on the eastern outskirts of Limerick which contains both a major industrial estate and the University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
.
Limerick to Limerick Junction
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This service is principally a shuttle along part of the Limerick–Rosslare railway line between Limerick station and Limerick Junction connecting to and from mainline services between Dublin and Cork as well as to a regional service to Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
. In the late 2000s an enhanced commuter aspect was developed involving expansion of car parking at Limerick Junction was completed and in 2010 Iarnród Éireann also introduced a morning service from Thurles to Limerick from Monday to Friday which passes through Limerick Junction.
There are no intermediate stops on the 17 mile 70mph Limerick Junction-Killonan Junction section or the 4.5 mile 60mph Killonan Junction-Limerick section. Some services are part of direct Dublin-Limerick intercity trains operating using 22000 class intercity diesel railcars
IE 22000 Class
The 22000 Class "InterCity Railcar" is a Diesel multiple unit type in service with Iarnród Éireann in Ireland.In a new departure for Iarnród Éireann they will be the first railcars to have been built specifically to serve on InterCity routes and are capable of up to 100 mph .-History:In 2005,...
and the others operate using 2700 class diesel railcars. Journey time is between 26 and 34 minutes in the 2010-11 timetable.
As of March 2011, commuting from east of Limerick Junction is hampered by the current arrangement where the train arriving from Cahir
Cahir
Cahir is a town in South Tipperary in Ireland. The town is best known for its castle and the Swiss Cottage. It is in the barony of Iffa and Offa West.-Location and access:...
, Clonmel
Clonmel
Clonmel is the county town of South Tipperary in Ireland. It is the largest town in the county. While the borough had a population of 15,482 in 2006, another 17,008 people were in the rural hinterland. The town is noted in Irish history for its resistance to the Cromwellian army which sacked both...
and Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
at 0818 does not proceed onward to Limerick and a shuttle train to Limerick does not depart until 0847.
See also
- Belfast Suburban RailBelfast Suburban RailThe Belfast Suburban Rail commuter network serves the metropolitan area of Greater Belfast and some of its commuter towns with three lines. The network is owned by Translink and operated by Northern Ireland Railways ....
- Dublin Suburban RailDublin Suburban RailThe Dublin Suburban Rail network, , is a railway network that serves the city of Dublin, Ireland, most of the Greater Dublin Area and outlying towns...
- Cork Suburban RailCork Suburban RailThe Cork Suburban Rail network serves the Metropolitan Cork area in County Cork, Munster, Ireland.There has been a suburban rail system in Cork since the middle of the 19th century however it suffered serious neglect and line closures in the 20th century...
- Galway Suburban Rail
- Rail transport in IrelandRail transport in IrelandRail services in Ireland are provided by Iarnród Éireann in the Republic of Ireland and by Northern Ireland Railways in Northern Ireland.Most routes in the Republic radiate from Dublin...
External links
- Limerick-Ennis / Ennis-Limerick train times
- Limerick-Nenagh / Nenagh-Limerick train times
- Limerick-Limerick Junction-Waterford train times, retrieved 13 March 2011
- Iarnrod Eireann Network Statement 2011, retrieved 13 March 2011
- Timetable Alterations: Valid From 13th December 2010, retrieved 13 March 2011
- New Public Consultation Process for Rail Timetable Changes, retrieved 13 March 2011 onward link to timetable PDF broken
- Speeds to be increased on Nenagh to Limerick line (Nenagh Guardian 08/01/2011), retrieved 13 March 2011
- Irish Railway News Forum: Evening Limerick to Nenagh Service Often Returns Empty From Birdhill, retrieved 13 March 2011